A POIGNANT message today lay at the spot where murdered Ray Cluskey collapsed in a pool of blood.

Flowers from a heartbroken fiancee underlined the tragedy of the shopkeeper's death.

Hayley Wallern, 23, has not spoken publicly since her future husband was knifed through the heart.

But today her moving tribute said it all. A card attached to the bouquet reads: "I love you and miss you in every single way. I will never forget you. I will think of you every single day."

Hayley refers to 30-year-old Ray as her "darling boyfriend, who was tragically taken away".

Friends have said Hayley, who had been seeing Ray for five years and intended to marry soon, is devastated.

Detectives today issued a fresh appeal for help in trapping Ray's killer, who has been on the run since Tuesday morning.

They fear the man, whose identity is known by the murder squad, is being shielded.

The murderer has not been seen since Ray died at around 11am, after he was stabbed at the shop he runs in Old Swan. Police say the man they want to speak to was seen arguing with Ray moments before he was knifed.

The area around Nutritional World was still cordoned off as a crime scene today as flowers from family and friends began piling up. Locals expressed their anxiousness for the killer to be caught.

A police spokeswoman said today: "Somebody somewhere must know the person responsible and know exactly where he is. We would appeal for anybody who knows where he is to turn him in.

"Remember you can do it in the strictest confidence."

Detectives say Ray's murder was "an isolated incident between two men". They refuse to speculate on a motive.

The man wanted for questioning was seen on CCTV running away from the scene shortly before a wounded Mr Cluskey staggered out into the road and lost consciousness.

Anyone with information about the murder should contact detectives on 0151 777 4505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.